1997 Ford Mustang Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 176 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford Mustang, 3% of the 176 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The cruise control self activated which caused the vehicle to speed up and as a result the driver lost control of the vehicle. During this incident the brakes did not work. The driver was not injured. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10057805, filed 2004-02“When pressing on the gas pedal there is a clicking and squealing noise in the front/right/engine, the noise is sounded from start up to 55 MPH. The dealer has worked on the vehicle six times, and cannot duplicate the problem. The warranty is still being honored because the problem cannot be remedied.”
NHTSA complaint #822877, filed 1998-04“With 60,000 miles on vehicle head gasket blewout, and had to be replaced at consumers expense by dealership. Then 4,000 miles later, timing gasket blewout which was covered under a manufacturer service program. Then, with 68,000 miles on vehicle, it started vibrating while traveling at approximately 65 MPH, and revved to over 6000 RPM. Consumer pulled to the side of road where engine stopped working. 3.8 liter v6 engine had to be replaced by the dealership because of complete failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #890316, filed 2001-06“When attempting to merge into traffic at low speeds, the vehicle pulled to the left and accelerated to speeds of 35 to 40mph 0without any reason, causing an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #807326, filed 1997-02Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 25% |
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 6% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 10 | 3% |
| 2015 | 15 | 3% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 19 | 7% |
| 2012 | 35 | 7% |
| 2011 | 39 | 8% |
| 2010 | 10 | 4% |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% |
| 2008 | 19 | 5% |
| 2007 | 43 | 7% |
| 2006 | 35 | 8% |
| 2005 | 54 | 8% |
| 2004 | 33 | 28% |
| 2003 | 16 | 11% |
| 2002 | 15 | 13% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 6% |
| 1999 | 25 | 12% |
| 1998 | 18 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 3% |
| 1996 | 10 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 2% |
| 1994 | 6 | 2% |
| 1993 | 4 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 8 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 8% |
| 1988 | 5 | 5% |
| 1987 | 3 | 8% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Mustang
38 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Mustang
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology